Green Fleet

Materials Provider Retrofits Step Vans as Hybrids

BMC, an Atlanta-based provider of building materials and construction services, has retrofitted its Ford E-350 step vans with XL Hybrids' XL3 Hybrid Electric Drive System, the vehicle modifier has announced.

BMC plans to use the four step vans for delivering construction supplies, lumber, and wood molding products to regional stores in the Denver area under a pilot program. Each van drives over 20,000 miles annually through extreme altitudes and temperature changes.

As part of the hybrid electric conversions, XL Hybrids installed its proprietary wireless data connectivity system in the four step vans, including two hybrid electric and two non-hybrid vehicles. The vehicle powertrain data transmitted to the cloud-based analytics system will be used by XL Hybrids to measure MPG performance in the field for BMC, as well as track key performance indicators like idling, vehicle duty cycle, and carbon dioxide emissions reduction.

The Mercedes-Benz 2020 GLC350e plug-in hybrid will arrive with refresh that adds new styling, the latest cabin interface, and third-generation plug-in hybrid software that adds torque and improves the all-electric range, the automaker has announced.

Electrify America has demonstrated the potential of fast DC charging with a demonstration in which the company charged a Porsche Taycan with 800-volt lithium-ion battery architecture at 270 kilowatts, which is the fastest charging speed available today.

REG Ultra Clean Diesel — a blend of renewable diesel and biodiesel — is now available for bulk purchase near Portland, Ore. It emits fewer emissions than conventional diesel, renewable diesel, or biodiesel.

The fleet will feature about 500 fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) and 850 battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and showcase Toyota’s new models and concepts, such as the Toyota concept-i, which will demonstrate Level 4 autonomous driving around Olympic venues.